February 25, 2010

This was an unusual fashion week for me, because I wasn't attending dozens of shows and arranging tickets for 8+ editors and assistants as usual. Instead, it was just me coordinating the schedule for one very reasonable stylist and going to shows that thought to send me an invite. (Normally, whether you are a buyer or blogger or member of the media you get invites by sending out ticket requests to designers' publicists and show production companies each season to request a ticket for each show of interest, using the official Fashion Calendar by Ruth Finley as a guide to show scheduling and happenings of note. This season, I didn't send out any requests for myself.)

It looks like for Fall 2010, we should all be stocking up on furs, shearling, velvet, amazing coats, and lots of wool cashmere! Luxury is the new luxury, and to be ladylike is no longer a faux pas! (After the first few shows, I went right away to Ebay to buy a Vince bomber jacket with a gorgeous fur collar!)

The other big technologically-driven trend this season, which has continued through London and Milan fashion weeks, is the livestreaming of fashion shows. I watched the Marc Jacobs show online live on their site, and to be honest I could see the clothes much better through the webcast than the one time I've been to his show in person many years ago (sitting in the last row!). A lot of editors were also insta-Tweeting and Twitpic-ing from their seats in the front row, some more successfully than others. Finally, several designers are experimenting with selling and sometimes shipping selected goods directly from the runway!! Only time will tell, I think, which of these fads will be dismissed as novelty and which will become a part of the new normal (like bloggers in the front row, which was news worthy last season and the status quo this season).

What was your favorite collection from the New York shows? Do you care about the shows?

February 11, 2010

Today, the first official day of New York Fashion Week, started off sadly with several editors apparently openly crying at the morning shows as emails and texts spread the news that Lee (Alexander) McQueen was found dead in his home in London. Shocking, and a great loss to the fashion community.

February 4, 2010

I've always understood that celebrity wrangling is a big part of the fashion industry, otherwise there wouldn't be gifting suites at Sundance or even InStyle magazine if people didn't care what celebrities wear and are associated with their favorite fashion brands! But now, in addition to more straight-forward spokesperson or endorsement deals, celebrities are now often paid to just to attend (and be photographed at) high-profile events lasting just a few minutes!

I found this article from Fashionista to be fairly disturbing, because it reveals the true cost of having a reality TV star or B-list actress sitting in your front row! Not only is the prime seat being sacrificed, but great sums and work is involved in guaranteeing the attendance of Wireimage worthy figures at your fashion show! What ever happened to celebrities just showing up at the tents because they love fashion and perhaps want some free clothes or to see a great show?

As a consumer, I couldn't care less about the seating assignments of my favorite brands and designers, and with the economy and budgets being the way that they are today in America, it's shocking to think that having a famous face attend your 10 minute show is worth shelling out over $50,000!

Does it matter to you if a celebrity attends a designer's fashion show?